Osterville Historical Museum

Our History

The museum complex includes three historic buildings and beautiful grounds, highlighted by a Colonial floral garden, and an herbal kitchen garden with plants indigenous to the area that were commonly used for cooking and medicinal home use in the 1700’s. A perfect spot to enjoy a picnic lunch or a cup of coffee on a sunny day!

The Boat Shops include the original Herbert F. Crosby Boat Shop that was moved to the site in 1976. The shops, a series of four interconnecting buildings, display maritime artifacts, photograph exhibits, shipbuilding tools, and six spectacular full-size examples of wooden Crosby Catboats, a Wianno Senior and Junior. The shops also contain an impressive mural of the Osterville waterfront painted in 1946 by Vernon Coleman, a local artist well known for his WPA-funded paintings of Cape Cod scenes

The Captain Parker House, circa 1824, contains eleven rooms of furniture, art, antiques, special fan exhibit, and one room devoted to the China Trade. The Parker House is where the “Kids Detective Club” adventure begins; children of all ages can participate in a museum wide scavenger hunt, learning more about history along the way.

Circa 1750, the Cammett House is a Cape "half house" offering a unique look at early building construction methods. By placing a new basement under a later 19th century wing of the house, the Historical Society made it possible for visitors to view the underpinnings of the early house with floor joists made from unfinished oak logs, and piles of fieldstones used for support. The Barnstable Historical Commission awarded the Osterville Historical Society a Distinguished Service Award in 1987 for restoring the house, which is simply furnished.

Our Services and Programs

During the season, a weekly story-hour is held for children four and older. Suitable for children of all ages, the “Kid’s Detective Club” is a fun scavenger hunt and runs concurrently while the Museum is open. Various educational programs run during the season. Community programs include special events that are open to the public at no charge. They are Opening and Closing Day Festivities, Antique Auto Parade viewing, and the December Holiday Open House.

All events are held at 155 West Bay Road, Osterville.

Fees Charged

Admission: $5 adults; Free for members and children under 12. Use your Passport to the Arts!

Hours/Schedule

Open mid June to mid September, Thursday-Sunday, 1:30-4:30 pm. Contact the office to arrange off-season visits by calling 508-428-5861 or by emailing us at ohs@osterville.org.

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